Film Reviews

Monte Carlo

• Rating:
• Director: Thomas Bezucha
• Starring: Katie Cassidy
• Details: US/ 109 mins (G)

Marking the second attempt at big screen domination from tween superstar Selena Gomez, this purposely light romantic comedy of errors will play just fine to its core audience but no one else. If the presence of Gomez wasn't enough to bring in the teen girls, Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester is joined by Glee heartthrob Cory Monteith.
Gomez is a small-town Texas girl who has just graduated from high school and is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime to Paris with her best mate - the slightly older Kate Cassidy - who is waiting on a commitment from her jealous boyfriend (Minteith). Things are hunky dory until her Step Father announces that his moody daughter (Meester) will be joining them on the trip. The vacation is predictably awful until Gomez is mistaken for a rich and famous British socialite, and takes advantage of it - ending up in Monte Carlo for a charity gig.
Balancing out the glum enough to bask in the merriment when it finally does happen, this typically whimsical production showcases Gomez as a charming young actress, and one who doesn't take herself too seriously. She gets to play the British doppelganger too, so manages to show an applicable range (given the content), and isn't always front and centre - showing a refreshing lack of ego (Miley Cyrus take note). Whether or not a long-term acting career is on the cards remains to be seen, but she's never less than watchable.
Gomez's charm doesn't make Monte Carlo a good, or even decent film, though; its core plot has been recycled to death and the sporadic use of recognisable chart music feels like an afterthought in the editing suite. Cassidy shows some decent comic chops, but Monteith may very well be the son Chris Klein has never met. He's used sparingly, but on the evidence of his (granted, somewhat low-key) role here, the Glee star will struggle outside of the musical television series. Smell the fart acting can only get you so far.
Passable for those it's aimed at, everyone else will be privy to the charms of Gomez but bored nonetheless.

Review by Mike Sheridan